This bill amends existing New Jersey law to require that all physicians, dentists, and other health professionals serving as expert witnesses in malpractice cases must be licensed in the State of New Jersey. Specifically, it stipulates that in cases of medical or dental malpractice, the expert witness must meet certain criteria regarding their qualifications, including being licensed in New Jersey and having relevant expertise in the specialty involved in the case. The bill also emphasizes that dentists providing expert testimony must adhere to specific requirements for expert testimony, ensuring that they are adequately qualified to comment on the standard of care in their field.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that prohibit expert witnesses from testifying on a contingency fee basis and establishes penalties for individuals or entities that retaliate against those providing expert testimony or affidavits. The act is set to take effect 90 days after enactment and will apply to all actions filed on or after that date. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the qualifications of expert witnesses in malpractice cases, thereby improving the integrity of the legal process in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:53A-27, 2A:53A-41